Posts for tag: nashville sedation dentist
Question: Is Valium still used for oral sedation at the dental office?
Answer: While valium remains a medication used in oral sedation dentistry, its effectivess as well as the longevity it provides makes it not the best choice. Valium is typically part of a prescription regimen that is used but not used exclusively. Most dentists will prescribe valium the night before the dental appointment to help the patient sleep the night before; however, Triazolam (aka Halcion) is usually given the day of the dental appointment to help heighten the level of anxiolysis/sedation for the patient. Adding additional sedatives to the regimen also warrants that the dentist is monitoring specific vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, respirations and O2 saturation.
Question: Why do I have to be monitored during sedation...my dentist used to give me Valium and never had to monitor before?
Answer: This is very common question especially since monitoring was not alway considered a standard until recently. Most patients that undergo sedation typically are administered multiple medications for not only preparation for the visit but during the visit. A common example is a patient who elects for oral sedation and is prescribed Valium the night before and Triazolam/Vistaril the day of the appointment. In this particular situation, the Valium is used to assist with sleep the night before since most patients have a great deal of anxiety leading up to the appointment. The valium, too, will stay in your body much longer than some of the other medications which can help prolong and strengthen the level of sedation when given with other medications.
The triazolam/hydroxyzine is typically given the day of the apppointment which increases the level of "anxiolysis" or sedaton effects for the patient. While the valium alone does not typically have much effect on the patient in re: vital signs and level of consciousness, additional meds such as triazolam can heighten the sedation to a point where we can see changes in a person's breathing or blood pressure. As the sedation becomes greater the more relaxed a patient can become but also the muscles in the airway and others used for breathing. This is the answer to the original question because sedation can affect the respiratory ability of a patient, it is absolutely imperative that patients are monitored to detect for even the smallest of changes.
By monitoring blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, respirations and sometimes heart rhythms, we can deliver safe levels of sedation to a patient without being as concerned about what may happen in response to the administration of multiple oral medications. Monitoring is an ABSOLUTE must!
Hope this helps!
Dr.G
Question: Why do dentists prescribe different sedatives for oral sedation procedures? My dentist prescribed Valium the night before and Triazolam the day of the procedure. Why two different sedatives?
Answer: Valium and Triazolam have different lengths of activity as well as time of onset. Likely the dentist prescribed the Valium the night before to help the patient sleep as well as promote some initial sedation that will linger due to its "half life" being much longer than Triazolam. Triazolam is short acting but works very quickly, therefore this is given the day of or 1 hour prior to procedure to help improve/deepen the level of sedation. The prescription of these sedatives is determined by: medical history, type of procedures involved as well as length, level of anxiety and others (e.g. gag reflex). Talk to Dr.Glasmeier about what sedatives are needed for oral sedation dentistry!
Question: Will I be able to drive home after my sedation appointment?
Answer: Depending on the type of sedation you receive, you will likely not be able to drive home. With the exception of laughing gas, you will not be able to drive home on your own. For oral and IV sedation, are you required to have an escort accompany you to the appointment, drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day. In addition to not being able to drive, you are restricted from going to work that day, operating heavy machinery, making major decisions while under the influence, and being alone. It is for these reasons that you must have a responsible escort be with you at all times for the duration of the day.
Question: If someone is getting sedated for their dental work, do they still need to be numb (i.e. get injections?)?
Answer: Yes, even though sedation will relax the patient (perhaps even make them sleep) and cause an amnesia-like effect, injections are still often necessary. Sedation does not eliminate the perception of pain therefore the patient will still need to be numb. The combination of the sedation and the injections provide the best pain free and relaxing situation for a fearful patient.
Despite the injections, however, the sedation will lessen the anxiety about the injections as well as promoting more comfortable injections. Most patients have no recollection of injections or the procedure!
